Psalm 29:1 kjv
Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Psalm 29:1 nkjv
A Psalm of David. Give unto the LORD, O you mighty ones, Give unto the LORD glory and strength.
Psalm 29:1 niv
A psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Psalm 29:1 esv
Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.
Psalm 29:1 nlt
Honor the LORD, you heavenly beings ;
honor the LORD for his glory and strength.
Psalm 29 1 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Call to Worship/Ascribe Glory & Strength | ||
| 1 Chr 16:28-29 | Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Bring an offering and come before him... | Call to ascribe glory by nations |
| Ps 96:7-8 | Ascribe to the LORD, all you families of nations, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name... | Universal call to praise God's name |
| Ps 68:34 | Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies. | Acknowledge God's power in heavens |
| Rev 5:12-13 | In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” Every creature in heaven... was heard saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” | Lamb (Christ) receives all glory and power |
| Rev 7:12 | saying: “Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength be to our God forever and ever. Amen!” | Angels ascribe ultimate glory to God |
| Heavenly Beings/Sons of God | ||
| Job 1:6 | One day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD... | Sons of God (angels) appear before God |
| Job 2:1 | On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD... | Heavenly assembly depicted |
| Job 38:7 | While the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? | Heavenly beings celebrate creation |
| Ps 82:1 | God presides in the great assembly; he renders judgment among the “gods.” | God's sovereignty over "gods"/divine assembly |
| Deut 32:8 | When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when he divided all mankind, he set up boundaries for the peoples according to the number of the sons of God. | "Sons of God" assigned nations (LXX reads "angels of God") |
| Heb 1:6 | And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.” | Angels commanded to worship Christ |
| Glory of God | ||
| Ex 24:16 | The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai... | Visible manifestation of God's glory |
| Isa 6:3 | Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory. | Earth filled with God's glory |
| Rom 1:20 | For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen... | God's glory evident in creation |
| Rom 3:23 | For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... | Humanity's inability to reflect God's glory |
| Ps 19:1 | The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. | Creation glorifies God |
| Strength/Power of God | ||
| Ps 62:11 | One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: “Power belongs to you, God.” | Power solely God's |
| Isa 40:29 | He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. | God is source of strength |
| Col 1:11 | being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might... | Believers strengthened by His power |
| Rev 4:11 | “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things..." | Creator is worthy of power |
| Ps 103:19 | The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. | God's absolute sovereignty and rule |
| Dan 4:35 | All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?” | God's absolute dominion over all |
Psalm 29 verses
Psalm 29 1 Meaning
This verse issues a profound and urgent command to the highest celestial beings to acknowledge and render due honor and absolute might to Yahweh, the Lord. It unequivocally states that all ultimate glory and supreme strength belong exclusively to the LORD.
Psalm 29 1 Context
Psalm 29 opens a powerful hymn that sets a cosmic stage for the demonstration of Yahweh's unparalleled might. Often called "The Voice of the LORD" or "The Thunderstorm Psalm," the entire chapter describes God's awesome power through the metaphor of a violent storm passing over the land, culminating in the peaceful assurance of His dominion and blessing for His people. Verse 1 is the majestic invitation, summoning heavenly beings to acknowledge the source of such power and glory, thus preparing the audience for the subsequent revelation of God's voice as thunder.
Historically and culturally, this psalm echoes themes found in the religious texts of ancient Near Eastern peoples, particularly the Canaanites. Storms were often seen as the domain of specific deities, most notably Baal, who was depicted as a powerful storm god, roaring like thunder and controlling the rains. However, Psalm 29 functions as a direct theological polemic against such beliefs. By attributing the thunderous "voice," the lightning (fire), and the floods exclusively to YHWH, the psalm firmly asserts that it is the God of Israel, and no other, who is the true sovereign over nature and all cosmic forces. The "heavenly beings" (bᵊnê ’ēlîm) being commanded to worship Yahweh could, in this polemical context, subtly imply that even the so-called "gods" of other nations must bow down and concede ultimate authority to the one true God, YHWH.
Psalm 29 1 Word analysis
- Ascribe: (Hebrew: הָבוּ, hāvu) This is an imperative verb, literally meaning "give," "bring," or "present." It is not a suggestion but a forceful command to attribute or render what is rightly due. It denotes an active and deliberate recognition of someone's worth or power, requiring acknowledgment and submission.
- to the LORD: (Hebrew: לַיהוָה, laYHWH) YHWH is the sacred, personal, and covenant name of God, revealed to Moses (Ex 3:14-15). It signifies God's self-existence ("I Am Who I Am"), His eternal nature, and His faithfulness to His promises. The definite article "the" preceding "LORD" underscores that He is the unique, ultimate recipient of such adoration, distinct from any other claimed deity.
- you heavenly beings: (Hebrew: בְּנֵי אֵלִים, bᵊnê ’ēlîm) Literally translated as "sons of gods" or "sons of El" (a general term for deity, also used for the true God).
- Interpretation 1 (Primary): Most scholars understand this to refer to divine or celestial beings, angels, or members of God's heavenly court (e.g., as seen in Job 1:6, Ps 8:5, 82:1, 89:7). They are part of creation, albeit powerful ones, and thus owe allegiance and worship to the Creator.
- Interpretation 2 (Polemics): It can also be interpreted as a call to the "gods" of other nations. In ancient Near Eastern thought, polytheism recognized a hierarchy of deities. This interpretation aligns with the psalm's polemical stance, indicating that even the supreme beings of rival pantheons must concede ultimate authority and worship to YHWH, the one true God.
- ascribe to the LORD: The repetition of this phrase serves as a powerful and emphatic refrain. It highlights the singularity of the object of worship and underscores the exclusive claim of Yahweh to universal homage, reinforcing that all glory and strength ultimately belong to Him alone.
- glory: (Hebrew: כָּבוֹד, kāḇôḏ) The literal meaning is "weight" or "heaviness," which expands to mean "splendor," "honor," "majesty," "reputation," and "substance." When attributed to God, it refers to His inherent greatness, His manifest presence (like the kabod cloud in Exodus), His visible splendor, and the intrinsic value and renown of His character. To ascribe glory is to recognize and declare His unparalleled nature.
- and strength: (Hebrew: וָעֹז, wā‘ōz) This word denotes "might," "power," "fortress," or "refuge." It represents God's active, irresistible power and dominion over all things, especially His power in creation, His ability to sustain, and His unassailable authority. Ascribing strength acknowledges God's unchallengeable sovereignty and effectiveness in all He does.
Psalm 29 1 Bonus section
- Cosmic Worship: The summons to "heavenly beings" creates a picture of cosmic worship, extending beyond earthly realms, highlighting God's dominion over both visible and invisible creations. This sets a precedent for understanding the breadth of God's sovereignty.
- Hymnic Introduction: This verse serves as a classical hymnic introduction, setting the tone for praise and adoration, characteristic of many Psalms that open with a call to worship before elaborating on God's attributes or deeds.
- Reverberation of Majesty: The repetition of "ascribe to the LORD" creates a rhythmic and forceful literary device that echoes the grand, majestic theme of the entire psalm and emphasizes the singular object of universal worship.
- Blueprint for Human Worship: While directed at celestial beings, this command serves as a powerful model and example for human worship. If angels bow, then humanity, recipients of His covenant love and power, must also "ascribe to the LORD glory and strength."
Psalm 29 1 Commentary
Psalm 29:1 functions as an emphatic declaration of God's universal supremacy, initiating a psalm that celebrates His unmatchable power. It issues an authoritative command to the most potent of created beings, the "heavenly beings" or "sons of God," to give Yahweh the recognition He is intrinsically due. This act of "ascribing" is not a granting of something new to God, but rather a profound acknowledgment and declaration of His eternal and inherent glory and strength. It emphasizes that these divine attributes are His alone and cannot be usurped by any other entity, whether a human ruler, a false deity, or even a mighty angel. By depicting a cosmic chorus of worship led by spiritual entities, the verse establishes a high standard for all creation, indicating that if these mighty beings must bow, then humanity, made in His image, is also obligated to offer ultimate reverence. It prepares the reader to witness Yahweh's unparalleled power manifested through creation's grandest forces.